11th Annual Top Shops Benchmarking Program Opens with New Features
By: Jenny Rush
For 2021, Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops, the annual benchmarking program for CNC machine shops, is open year-round and includes a new sourcing platform.
#topshops
When Organic Growth in Your Machine Shop Isn’t Enough
By: Brent Donaldson
Princeton Tool wanted to expand its portfolio, increase its West Coast presence, and become a stronger overall supplier. To accomplish all three goals at once, acquiring another machine shop became its best option.
Considering 3D Printing for Production? Start Here (Video)
By: Stephanie Hendrixson
3D printing is ready for production, but it isn't plug-and-play. Editors break down the issues to consider in this high-level conversation.
Metalworking Index Signals Slowing Expansion in November 2020
By: Michael Guckes
The Gardner Business Index: Metalwork fell to 50.2 in November 2020, indicating that while growth has continued, it is slowing and could turn to another contraction.
#economics
Automated Part Deburring, Cleaning in One System
By: Derek Korn
Palletized parts are transferred from a five-axis, high-pressure waterjet station to a cleaning station via linear motor to enable fast, automated finishing.
#partscleaning
Shifting from On-Machine to Offline Programming
By: Emily Probst
In the midst of learning to program its CNC milling machines offline and the promise of using that experience to transfer more work to its Swiss-type lathe, an Ohio job shop is changing its company culture and taking on more complex work.
When to Use 2D or 3D Surface Measurement
By: George Schuetz
Instead of committing exclusively to 2D or 3D surface measurement, shops should consider their use cases.
#qualitygagingtips
Job Shop Automates Using Cobot Arm
By: Emily Probst
Loading and unloading a repetitive job was straining employees at B.I.C. Precision Machine, so the shop integrated a cobot arm from Absolute Machine Tools into its production process.
#casestudy
IMTS Spark: MMS Editors Choose Favorite Article of 2020
By: Emily Probst
The editors of Modern Machine Shop share observations of reporting on metalworking facilities and their conversations with metalworking leaders.
Exploring Virtual Internships in Manufacturing
By: Allison Giddens, President, Win-Tech Inc.
Allison Giddens of Win-Tech Inc. describes how she turned Win-Tech’s high school internship from COVID cancellation to virtual success.
#workforcedevelopment #viewfrommyshop
Why Binderless CBN Inserts Turn Titanium Faster
By: Matt Danford
A new formulation of cubic boron nitride could provide a more solid alternative to cemented carbide as finish-machining becomes more demanding.
Can Nanotechnology Redefine Metalworking Fluid?
By: Matt Danford
Tiny onions provide a maintenance-reducing alternative to hazardous chemicals for cooling and lubricating parts.
#metalworkingfluids
